Warning labels on social media won't protect kids, minister says

Holland puts onus on parents to talk about the dangers

- MARK RAMZY

I don't think that when a parent is talking to their kids about social media, that it's helpful if I tell them that there's problems or dangers with it. I'm not particularly moved by the idea of doing that.

OTTAWA Putting warning labels on social media platforms would not be "helpful" in protecting young people from their dangers, Health Minister Mark Holland said Wednesday.

Instead, parents should be having honest conversations with their children about the effects of social media, he said.

"I don't think that when a parent is talking to their kids about social media, that it's helpful if I tell them that there's problems or dangers with it," Holland told reporters.

"I'm not particularly moved by the idea of doing that." Holland's comments come as political leaders and experts grapple with how to protect youth on social media at a time of rising misinformation and hate online.

The Trudeau government has introduced a contentious online harms bill that would, in part, crack down on content that poses harm to children, while provinces including Ontario and Alberta have moved to ban cellphone use in schools.